The Blue Mountains has it all from adventure caving to art galleries and lots more
In the South Eastern region of New South Wales in Australia, is a mountain range known as the Blue Mountains. Much of this range has been declared a World Heritage Site and is composed of a conservation nature reserve together with seven national parks. The predominantly sandstone plateau is dissected by deep gorges, some as much as 760 meters deep.
The Gudungurra people had lived in the area for a few millenia, being its first inhabitants. Traces abound, of these original human settlers, as can be seen in the Red Hands Cave near the settlement of Glenbrook, where stencils of the hands of adults and children adorn the cave walls. In another site at Wentworth Falls, grooves in the rocks, thought to be the result of the grinding and sharpening of rudimentary tools, were discovered. Animal tracks carved into the stone and a cave with distinct traces of human occupation were uncovered at the Kings Tableland Aboriginal Site and it has been estimated they were 22,000 years old.
The governor of New South Wales, Arthur Phillip, originally named the range the Carmarthen and Lansdowne Hills in 1788, at about the time Europeans were settling around Sydney. The preferred name however, was Blue Mountains, because of the blue tinge that could be seen from a distance.
Depending on the altitude, the climate will vary. At a height of 1,010 meters, Katoomba reaches daytime temperatures of anything between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. Night time temperatures drop to just above 12 degrees. Winter temperatures can drop to -3 degrees Celsius at night and rise to around 12 or 13 degrees during the day. At the higher altitudes, snow falls 2 or 3 times in the year. The climate is a little warmer at the lower altitudes however. About 1,050 mm of rain falls annually in the mountains and there are often very misty days.
The primary indigenous vegetation at the higher altitudes are Eucalyptus trees. On the edges of the plateaus above the cliffs, more varieties of heath vegetation are prevalent. Deep gorges provide shelter for the temperate rainforest flora. Hanging swamp ground supports reeds of button grass that grow in deep, black, thick soil.
The area boasts a privately owned tourist attraction, the Katoomba Scenic World featuring the Katoomba Scenic Railway and the Katoomba Scenic Skyway which are situated just South of the town of Katoomba. A shop, a theatre and a revolving restaurant complete the range of available local amenities. The railway is reported to be the steepest cable powered railway in the world being inclined at 52 degrees over 415 meters long. There are plenty other Blue Mountain attractions to visit too.
Also close to Katoomba are the Three Sisters, which are a world famous rock formation which towers over the Jamison Valley. A local legend, believed to have been promulgated by a local businessman to create interest in the area, relates how three sisters became enamoured of three men from another tribe but tribal laws forbade marriage between them. A battle developed and an elder turned the sisters to stone for their own protection. Unfortunately the elder was killed in the battle and no one could return them to normal.
Starting at Echo Point, a walking trail passes the Three Sisters and descends to the bottom of the valley via a series of stone steps named The Giant Stairway. Those visitors to the Blue Mountains not wishing to climb back up the stairway can take the train back for a nominal fee.
The Blue Mountains is a beautiful place to stay for a night or a week depending on what you like to do. With a great choice of Blue Mountain rentals available, you will be able to find the perfect place to stay in the Blue Mountain.
